Bannon will not turn up for interview with House Intelligence Committee despite subpoena: report

Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Trump, will not appear before the House Intelligence Committee for a scheduled interview. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Stephen Bannon, former chief strategist to President Trump, will not appear before the House Intelligence Committee for a scheduled interview on Tuesday.

Bannon, who left the White House in August, was subpoenaed by the committee after he refused to answer questions during a 10-hour closed-door interview on Jan.16.

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Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) told reporters on Monday he expected Bannon to comply with the subpoena and answer questions as part of the committee's investigation into the Russian election interference and the possible collusion with Trump's campaign.

Two sources told Reuters that Bannon, who has already postponed his interview twice, would not appear.

The move places Bannon at risk of being charged with contempt of Congress.

Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) said he expected Bannon to comply with the subpoena and answer questions as part of the committee’s investigation into the Russian election. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

His lawyer is still negotiating the terms of the interview, and it remains unclear whether the White House will allow Bannon to answer questions about his time in the Trump administration.

Special counsel Robert Mueller also issued a subpoena for Bannon to appear before a grand jury, although sources said he negotiated a voluntary interview instead, CNN reported.

That meeting with Mueller could take place as soon as next week.

Bannon was appointed chief executive of Trump campaign’s in August 2016 before the seven-month stint came to an end last August. (JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS)

Bannon was appointed chief executive of Trump campaign's in August 2016 before the seven-month stint came to an end last August.

Bannon previously commented on the Mueller investigation in Michael Wolff's book "Fire and Fury," saying, "You realize where this is going. This is all about money laundering…"

"Their path to f--king Trump goes right through Paul Manafort, Don Jr. and Jared Kushner...It's as plain as a hair on your face."

He also described Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer in June 2016 as "treasonous."

President Trump reportedly dictated a misleading statement saying the meeting was arranged primarily to discuss the issue of Russian adoptions.

But emails released by Donald Trump Jr. just days later revealed he accepted the meeting after a British publicist promised dirt on his father's election rival Hillary Clinton.

Bannon later tried to walk back his quotes in "Fire and Fury" in a statement to Axios.

"My comments were aimed at Paul Manafort, a seasoned campaign professional with experience and knowledge of how the Russians operate. He should have known they are duplicitous, cunning and not our friends. To reiterate, those comments were not aimed at Don Jr.," he said.

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Bannon emphasized that "there was no collusion," adding, "I regret that my delay in responding to the inaccurate reporting regarding Don Jr. has diverted attention from the President's historical accomplishments in the first year of his presidency."